nose wheel

Hi I just recently lost the nose wheel on my raf when in a low speed taxi the wheel started to shimmy violently. I was using a very hard 3/4 inch shaft that snapped just above the securing nut. Would it be better to use a softer shaft that would bend rather than something hard that could break? I'm still amazed that this 3/4 inch shaft would snap. Any suggestions on what material I might use for my new nose wheel shaft? Thanks Roy

Roy- My shaft also brokw while on the takeoff roll with my dad onboard. RAF made a much beefier repacement which I had sitting on my shelf. I was back in the air in 3 hours. Very easy changeout. Stan

Roy I would buy a new one from RAF. It was updated long ago. I think their's is annealed steel.